The Premier League is back at Elland Road and Leeds United fans will make sure to let Everton know all about it in tonight's opening fixture.
The Whites have not lost any of their opening games in the Premier League era when they have begun at home, winning five of eight. Home is where the heart is for Leeds, but it’s also where the most amount of points will likely come this season.
“It's crucial to have a good home record,” said manager Daniel Farke ahead of this evening’s curtain-raiser. “We've made Elland Road a fortress.
“We know it will be more difficult than in Championship but we have a great unity within the club and bond with our supporters. We will need them during difficult times.”
Farke underlined the passion he saw in the eyes of supporters as 150,000 of them flocked to the city centre for the Championship promotion bus parade in May.
That is what partly motivates his desire to see Leeds become a Premier League regular once again - and in turn why he is so adamant on sealing more transfers before deadline day.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is eligible to play tonight against his former club, arrived for free on Saturday to become the eighth signing of the window. Yet Farke has made it clear more attackers are needed if Leeds are to buck the two-year trend of promoted clubs going straight back down.
"There's still business to be done as a promoted side,” Farke added. “I've also made it clear we need one more full-back, and especially the offence. There is no doubt we need reinforcements.”
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A raft of earlier summer signings are set to make their competitive debuts in the match, including new left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, pre-season star and midfielder Anton Stach and goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who is set to play his first full 90 minutes in a Leeds jersey.
While the Leeds faithful will be pleased to see them, not everyone will be as delighted to witness the return of Jack Harrison, who was booed by sections of the fan base in pre-season. His two-year loan spell away at Everton has not pleased the diehards.
While Farke has admitted that it is “up to Jack” to win back wholesale support, the manager has called for fans to get behind the winger. Because unity is what will give Leeds the best chance of staying up.
“This is a club which belongs in the Premier League. The fan base is second to none,” Farke eulogised. Many of the general footballing community are pleased to see Leeds and their army of fans back in the top-flight. Farke’s task is to keep them there.
Lose tonight and, with Arsenal and Newcastle to follow, Leeds could go three games without a point. The pressure would be on. The truth is Farke needs the raucous support of Elland Road as much as the players - and you can bet the fans will provide it.
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